Report: Michael Knox

Image: Andy Bone, Sports Shots

A series of outstanding batting performances powered Bucks Men to two victories over Wales NC in their National Counties Dojo T20 Cup double-header at Marlow on Sunday, securing second place in Group 3.

The two wins book Bucks' place in the Super 12s on Sunday 9 August, where they will face Wiltshire at Exeter CC. Victory in that match will see them take on Devon in a qualification decider.

Batting first in both matches, Bucks made the most of an excellent pitch, posting totals of more than 200 on each occasion, to which their opponents had no answer.

Put into bat in the first game, Bucks hammered a record 235-7 thanks to an astonishing innings from Josh Lincoln, who made 81 from just 28 balls, including seven sixes and seven fours. He shared a fourth-wicket stand of 125 in 9.2 overs with opener Rehaan Edavalath, who scored 89 from 57 balls, with four sixes and nine fours. Earlier, opener Billy Dodds had given Bucks a flying start with 32 off 16 balls.

The young Welsh side struggled in response to the onslaught and were bowled out for 103 in 13.5 overs, handing the hosts their biggest-ever victory in the competition by 132 runs. The win was built on some excellent catching in the deep, while skipper Conner Haddow claimed three wickets.

Bucks again chose to bat in the second game but soon slipped to 5-2. However, this proved to be the prelude to an outstanding innings from Matt Pardoe, who scored the county's first Men's T20 century, reaching three figures from just 52 balls. His 112 came from 56 deliveries and included eight sixes and eight fours. Edavalath added 46 as the pair shared a third-wicket partnership of 123 in 12 overs, helping Bucks Men reach 203-5 from their 20 overs.

Wales made a much better fist of the chase this time as Ollie King (60) and Sam King (49) put them in a strong position at 127-2 in the 13th over. However, three wickets apiece for Haddow, Archie Dodds and Bertie Foreman, together with more excellent catching, saw Wales bowled out for 179 in the final over, giving Bucks a 24-run victory.

Bucks begin the defence of their National Counties Cluberly Championship title when they face Staffordshire in a three-day Division One East match at Chesham, starting this Sunday.

Game One - Scorecard

Game Two - Scorecard

Table